Monday, September 14, 2009

Wire: Osama Calls Obama 'Powerless' in Afghan War

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported a new audio message, directed at the American people -- purported to be from al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden -- said President Barack Obama is "powerless" to stop the war in Afghanistan.

SITE Intelligence Group, a terrorist-monitoring firm that translated the address, said bin Laden, whose al-Qaida organization was behind the Sept. 11 attacks, blamed the war on the "pro-Israel lobby" and corporate interests.

IntelCenter, another company that monitors terrorist propaganda, said the 11-minute 'video' shows a still picture of bin Laden while audio of the address plays.

In the tape, released to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, bin Laden said Obama is only following the warlike policies of his predecessor George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

VOA News noted the following details:

In the recording, the man identified as bin Laden reiterates long-standing grievances including American support for Israel and "some other injustices."

He puts forward a reading list of recent books, including one by a former CIA agent, which the tape says will clarify the "message" of the terrorist attack eight years ago.

The recording notes that the Obama administration includes key figures from the previous Bush administration, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The voice, believed to be that of bin Laden, thus concludes President Obama is a weakened man and powerless to change course in Afghanistan because of "pressure groups." And, if he tries, the tape says "his fate will be feared" to be like that of the assassinated President John Kennedy and his brother, Robert.

The purpose of his message Sunday, bin Laden said in the SITE translation, is "to remind you of the causes" of Sept. 11, chiefly "your support to your Israeli allies who occupy our land of Palestine."